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Q. -Can you give us the name of any prime mover in these clubs or any heads of these clubs ?
The men who keep the coolie houses have The licensees of the chairs and rickshas also
A.-No, I don't think there are any. a good deal of influence with the coolies. have influence-some of them a great deal of influence.
Q. Are these coolie clubs registered lodging houses?
A. Yes, they would be.
Q. Where do the coolies who are usually employed as private chair and ricksha coolies mostly come from?
A.-There are a great many Chiu Chau men, some Hoi Fung men, and there are Puntis or Canton coolies.
Q. Do you think that these coolies from distinct and different localities combine together, or is it merely that coolies of given localities combine together?
A. Only the coolies from a certain district would combine.
Q.-But do the coolies of Chiu Chau combine with the Puntis to raise prices and boycott persons?
A.-
Yes they would make common cause.
Q.-Have you had any instance of that brought under your notice?
A. Yes. In 1894, for example, they boycotted all the Plague workers including myself because Plague measures were generally unpopular. Since then I have been again boycotted because I would not intercede with the Magistrate on behalf of two of my coolies who were charged by the Police with creating a disturbance in the street.
Q. Have you moved the Government on this matter of registration of Chinese servants in Europeau employ before?
times.
A.—I have recommended it ever since 1894. I think I have recommended it five
Q.-The first time was in 1894 ?
A. As well as I remember, in 1894.
Q-Have any steps been taken?
A.--No; not as yet.
—
Mr. Wilcox. That was for registration of Chinese servants generally, was it not? A.-Registration of domestic servants. It was, I may say, referred to the unof- ficial members of Council on one occasion and they were not in favour of it.
The Chairman.Do you know their reasons?
A
-I don't know their reasons.
Q.-Was not the question also referred to the Chamber of Commerce ?
A.—The last time it was referred to the Chamber of Commerce, and they were not in favour of it.
Q. Did they give reasons?
A.-I can't say.
That was the last time but one; I have raised it since then.
Q.-What is the reason for raising it?
A.-The reason for raising it is the complaints of persons in the Colony. My argument is that it is not my business to engage coolies for private individuals.
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